We’ve all seen them: Kids with the latest gadgets, brand-named clothes and a bad attitude to match.

Are they simply material kids living in a material world, or are deeper issues brewing as they grow up?

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Dr. Chrissi Hart, a licensed psychologist and author based out of York, Pa., says these kids may see material possessions as the key to happiness.

“Giving in to a child's every demand can lead to spoiling but also learning that material possessions are what he or she needs to feel happy,” said Hart.

She says parents who provide their children with many material things may be materialistic themselves, but peers and celebrities may also play a part.

Butch Romanoski, a licensed clinical social worker with New Passages in Harrisburg, Pa., says material trends have become a custom in American culture.

“Technology has become a status symbol,” said Romanoski. “All the kids want a smartphone or tablet and parents give the kids what they want so that they don’t have to deal with them. As time goes on, it becomes harder to break that custom.”

Romanoski says parents may also remember a time when they had a meager lifestyle and want to compensate for something they didn’t have.

“It is at a convenience at times, too,” said Romanoski. “They can play with it while they’re at a meeting or out shopping.”

He says it creates an environment of instant gratification.

“People don’t earn things as much anymore, they sort of just want it. We call it participation trophy syndrome,” said Romanoski. “It’s the idea that you deserve a trophy just for showing up.”

In the long run, Romanoski says these kids have a low tolerance for frustration.

“They’re not able to accept failure and think they should automatically be first or special,” said Romanoski. “They’re eventually going to struggle sometime in life and fail, but they haven’t learned how to cope.”

Hart says to remember, money and material objects isn’t the best way to balance a child’s development.

“The evidence is that there is a link between materialism and low self-esteem and low life satisfaction, “said Hart. “Money does not buy happiness.”

Hart recommends curbing the amount of TV a child watches. She also says to encourage "emotional wealth," foster friendships and expressions of kindness and gratitude.